Visual History with Doug Quick

Interviewed by: Dency Nelson

Veteran stage manager Doug Quick (The Price is Right; Archie Bunker’s Place; The Young and the Restless) discusses his creative contributions to episodic programming, daytime serials and variety shows, and the extensive rehearsal and planning that goes into the production of game shows.

In a career spanning 45 years, Doug Quick has stage managed a variety of programs for both NBC and CBS and has worked with such legendary figures as Red Skelton, Johnny Carson, Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, Bob Barker, and Carroll O’Connor.

Doug Quick began his production career in the prestigious NBC Page Program in 1969. Having majored in biochemistry in college, he received his television production training as Carson’s personal page on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and as a page on The Dean Martin Show. Quick’s enthusiasm, determination and strong work ethic secured him a PA job on The Dean Martin Show, which led to a position as an NBC staff stage manager, where he worked alongside respected stage managers Jerry Masterson and Ted Baker.

Transitioning to freelance in the mid-1970s, Quick worked on Sanford and Son, The Redd Foxx Show, The Flip Wilson Show, The Dinah Shore Show, and Van Dyke and Company among others before becoming a CBS staff stage manager in 1976. In this capacity he worked on The Young and the Restless, where he observed the genre’s transition from a half-hour format to a one-hour format show. He was mentored by the legendary Willie Dahl, and worked alongside esteemed stage managers Buddy Borgen, Jim Rice and Harry Rogue. Other notable programs he was assigned to include Archie Bunker’s Place and a myriad of now classic game shows including Match Game, Family Feud, The $25,000 Pyramid, and the longest running game show in television history, The Price is Right, which he has stage managed for more than 35 years.

Stage Manager Doug Quick describes his behind-the-scenes responsibilities on The Price is Right, and a suggestion he made for rehearsals 25 years ago that led to a permanent change in their shooting process.

Quick fondly recalls Stage Managing The Young and the Restless when it was still a half-hour show shot live-to-tape and in sequence.

Quick explains the Stage Manager's role in early live and live-to-tape sports broadcasts including the Muhammad Ali v. Leon Spinks fight in 1978.